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Overview of the Bullying Problem
Over the last few decades, there has been a momentous change in the way educationalists observe inter-personal associations between pupils in schools. Children have been caught up in mocking, taunting, humiliating, bullying, pulling each others’ legs since times unknown. They do so “sometimes in fun, sometimes in deadly earnest, to the amusement, horror or indifference of others, whether they be parents, teachers or other children” (Rigby 11). Even though bullying is a usual practice across all cultures, ages, and societies, it displays more prominence in school environments (Tarshis 67). A lot of people consider bullying as a normal, unchangeable human nature. However, there has been a change in the modern times considering bullying. People have started to acknowledge bullying at schools as an excruciating and unendurable social evil. This is because bullying has inflicted serious consequences for the physical and psychological wellbeing of its victims. Therefore, it is extremely important to address the various problems caused due to bullying and eliminate it not only from the school premises, but also from the society (Rigby 11).
Different Perspectives about Bullying: Causes and Consequences
Bullying, without a doubt, must be considered intolerable by everyone as it is a malicious and unkind recurring oppression of the powerless by the powerful. In fact, no one can give a single justification for this cruel behavior towards anyone. There is no doubt that bullying in schools is a form of unreasonable and unnecessary violence, be it mental or physical. People always demonstrate outrageousness whenever they become aware of domestic violence and abuse of wives by husbands. They also show disgust when children are tyrannically abused by their parents. However, when it comes to bullying in schools, people do not consider it a big issue when stronger children bully the weaker ones (Rigby 11). This hypocritical attitude of the society needs to change as soon as possible to avoid the negative consequences of bullying on children, families and societies.
In the recent years, there has been an increasing concern and awareness of bullying in schools as a major societal problem. It is a good thing that a number of instructors and institutions have started to see that bullying must be stopped and abandoned. Today, there are many forms of peer victimization in schools (Rigby 2). These include physical bullying, verbal bullying, relational/indirect bullying, cyber-bullying, sexual bullying, and bias bullying (Supper 10). In simple words, children are physically and psychologically bullied on the basis of their appearance, poor academic achievements, race, color, and several other distinguishing characteristics that make them prominent.
As far as its consequences are concerned, bullying profoundly affects the schools’ learning environment. Students who become victims of consistent bullying are negatively impacted as they have poorer test marks and grades, high absenteeism, increased dropping-out rates, poor confidence levels, depression, and feelings of segregation. Sometimes, chronic bullying even makes victims to attempt suicide. It is also a fact that many victims themselves turn out to be bullies thus perpetuating a disparaging cycle of violent behavior and aggression (Dupper vii).
The question is what makes a child bully another child. Research suggests that there are several factors that make a child adopt bullying. In some cases, the child’s unique psychological and physical nature tends to make him a bully. In other cases, his personality is influenced by the domestic and familial influences. When a child sees his parents or other family members bullying others, he naturally accepts bullying as a normal attitude. Thus, he starts to bully others in the neighborhood or at school. Moreover, some factors that encourage bullying are school0centered. When the school fails to respond bullying collectively, it becomes a daily routine and children do not hesitate in humiliating other children. It is important to highlight that bullying is sometimes facilitated in a school due to its own educational climate (Rigby 3). Furthermore, when teachers do not take actions in stopping bullying, this menace becomes an ordinary challenge for victims to face on a daily basis.
Possible Solutions
Considering the above discussion, there is an instantaneous need for the schools to use their great potential to detect and prevent the menace of bullying. Schools are also required to take appropriate actions whenever there is an incidence of bullying. Likewise, it is essential for them to provide help to the victim(s) of bullying. Bullying can be detected by teachers efficiently as they are conscious of pupils’ behavioral characteristics and development patterns. Their daily contact, experience, and awareness of the children’s attitudes enable them to evaluate the ups and downs in the physical, mental, and learning position of the child. A majority of teachers want their pupils to shine personally and academically. Therefore, they can easily observe the slight changes in children’s moods and appearances. The decline in academic progress may also make a teacher notice the effects of bullying on child’s schoolwork (“Bullying in Schools: European Teachers' Seminar Bled, Slovenia, 16-19 April 1998” 12).
Schools are also required to encourage the development of a harmonious culture and environment where bullying is strictly prohibited. A favorable climate can also be created if there is good cooperation and communication between school staff and parents. In the contemporary society, schools must devise appropriate prevention and measures systems and also implement them in order to address the occurrence of bullying incidences (“Bullying in Schools: European Teachers' Seminar Bled, Slovenia, 16-19 April 1998” 12).
Parents and family members can also play a significant role for the reduction of bullying in schools. Parents know their children better than anyone. Parents of both culprit and the victim must take necessary measure to stoop their child from bullying or being bullied respectively. It is the responsibility of parents to teach their children moral values and ethics so that they do not bully others in any situation. Parents are required to become watchful of their children’s immoral and wicked behaviors in order to prevent them from harming others, physically or verbally. Likewise, parents of the bullying victims may recognize the significant changes in their children’s behavior due to bullying. They can deal the situation effectively with constructive cooperation provided by school authorities (Rigby 6).
Works Cited
Bullying in Schools: European Teachers' Seminar Bled, Slovenia, 16-19 April 1998. Strasbourg: Council of Europe Pub., 1999. Print.
Dupper, David R. School Bullying: New Perspectives on a Growing Problem. New York: Oxford UP, 2013. Print.
Rigby, Ken. Bullying in Schools and What to Do about It: Revised and Updated. Rev. and Updated. ed. Camberwell, Vic.: ACER, 2007. Print.
Tarshis, T. P. Living with Peer Pressure and Bullying. New York, NY: Facts On File, 2010. Print.
